Tony Abbott hits back at Turnbull

As promised, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has responded to Malcolm Turnbull’s regret at citing Newspoll in his takeover.

This week Malcolm Turnbull clocked up his 25th consecutive poll loss edging closer to his precedent of 30.

Mr Abbott joined Michael McLaren following the Bennelong by-election, admitting, “the PM has had a pretty good finish to the year”.

When speaking with Chris Kenny earlier, the Prime Minister refused to be caught up in a personal battle with Mr Abbott, however, his predecessor was happy to comment.

“He now wishes that he’d never said anything about 30 Newspolls. Honestly, I can sympathise with him there.

“I’ve never taken polls as seriously as he did on that particular occasion.

“The other point he made was there was governance issues, well I mean please.”

Michael then asked Mr Abbott if he thinks he thinks the cabinet would be stronger had he’d been selected.

“I think it’s a stronger cabinet today than it was a week ago.

“It’s not whether I would like to be in the cabinet, it’s whether the Prime Minister would like me to be in the cabinet and he’s made it pretty obvious since the last election I’m the last person he’d like to see there.”